Current Projects
Gooseberry Falls Concourse Rehabilitation (2019)
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places under: Gooseberry Falls State Park CCC/Rustic Style Historic Resources, an Historic District, as a contributing feature in 1989
Original Construction: 1936-40
Designed by: Edward W. Barber
Constructed by: Civilian Conservation Corps
Project Scope: The Gooseberry Falls Concourse Rehabilitation will make safety and accessibility improvements to the historic concourse and bridge overlook and will repoint the historic concourse structure. The concourse plaza and overlook plaza will be reconfigured. The project will also repair some trails near the concourse and relocate the bridge monument to the N side of the river. This project has been designed to meet the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Park visitors will experience various trail detours in the area as construction occurs. Detours will be signed on site. Construction is anticipated to begin in May and continue through September 2019.
Construction update: July 12, 2019. Construction is underway! The 2nd phase of Trail detours will begin today, closing the trails on the NE side of the bridge for the relocation of the bridge monument.
The Gitchi Gami Trail on the upper plaza is re-opened, but construction activity continues in the upper plaza and concourse area, so please be safe! Stay away from any construction activity. Equipment and workers may be intermittently crossing the trail.
Work on repairing the historic masonry walls of the concourse will continue into September.
Impacts to the public: Overall there will be some areas closed, some trail detours and typical noise and construction activity.
Highway 61: Impacts to Highway 61 will be minimal. There are no anticipated lane closures. Impacts are largely limited to contractors accessing the site and bringing in materials and equipment.
Gooseberry State Park visitors: Access to the concourse and bridge plaza overlook will be closed during at least part of the construction. There will be trail detours in the area as well, which will change as different parts of the work are completed. Trail detours will have signs posted to redirect visitors. Maps will be posted for current detour routes.
Gitchi Gami Trail: The Gitchi Gami trail will be realigned on the concourse. The trail will be detoured at the concourse and river crossing. Bike riders will be required to walk bikes on pedestrian trails. Trail detours will have signs posted. Maps will be posted of current detour routes.
Pine-Hickory Lakes Roadside Parking Area (2019)
Eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places
Pine-Hickory (PDF-link to inventory form)
Original Construction: 1938
Designed by: Arthur Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect
Constructed by: National Youth Administration (NYA)
Project Scope: The Pine Hickory RPA Rehabilitation will restore several historic stone features, repave the parking area and make accessibility improvements to the picnic area and portable toilets. A degraded paved trail will be re-paved, while other trails will remain turf, or soft surface. A new fishing pier will be installed by the picnic table. This project has been designed to meet the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. The roadside parking area on Little Pine Lake will be closed during construction. The gravel access and boat launch on Hickory Lake will remain open and is not being worked on. Construction is planned for summer 2019.
Construction Update: May 31, 2019 Work is planned to start at Pine Hickory around July 15, 2019 but work may begin in limited areas prior to that. The paved parking area on Little Pine Lake and trails will be closed during construction. The gravel boat access on the Hickory Lake will also be closed for contractor parking and staging. The trails on both sides will be closed. Construction is expected to last about two months and be completed in September 2019.
Whitefish Creek Bridge Rehabilitation (Bridge 3355)
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Original Construction: 1939
Designed by: Arthur Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect and National Park Service
Constructed by: Civilian Conservation Corps
Project Scope: The Whitefish Creek Bridge will be rehabilitated. Historic stone will be repaired and repointed, including bridge abutments, walks and guardrail stone wall. The bridge deck and approach lanes will be reconstructed and an integral Wyoming guardrail will be installed. This project has been designed to meet the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Construction is planned for summer 2019.
Construction Update: Dec. 13, 2018. This project has been awarded to Environmental Associates, Inc. Construction will take place in 2019. Lane closures will be used to keep traffic open on the bridge during construction, but travelers on this area of Hwy 169 should expect delays.
Garrison Pedestrian Underpass (2018-19)
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Original Construction: 1938
Designed by: Arthur Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect and National Park Service
Constructed by: Civilian Conservation Corps
Construction Update: Jan. 9, 2019 The stone masonry restoration on the bridge is complete. Fabrication of replacement steel for reinforcing the bridge arch caused delays in the work. The concrete bridge deck was unable to be completed in the 2018 season. A temporary asphalt surface has been installed to pave the bridge over the winter. The final concrete bridge deck will be completed in the Summer of 2019.
Kenney Lake Overlook Rehabilitation
Listed on MnDOT Historic Roadside Development Structures
Kenney Lake Overlook (PDF)
Original Construction: 1939
Designed by: Arthur Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect and National Park Service
Constructed by: Civilian Conservation Corps
Graceville Marker Rehabilitation
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Original Construction: 1940
Designed by: Arthur Nichols, Consulting Landscape Architect
Constructed by: Work Projects Administration (WPA)
